TCL’s ECORA: A Game-Changer Made From Upcycled Ceramic Waste
▼ Summary
– TCL ECORA is a breakthrough material made from upcycled ceramic waste and plastic, marking the first use of recycled ceramic in consumer electronics.
– The material offers superior durability, hardness, and a premium finish, making it suitable for products like TV back panels and air conditioning units.
– It was developed through a partnership with Chris Lefteri Design, starting in 2024, focusing on sustainability and emotional design.
– TCL ECORA upcycles ceramic waste from Jingdezhen, China, connecting the material to a rich cultural heritage of porcelain production.
– This innovation supports TCLGreen sustainability goals, with plans to launch products within a year and showcase the material at events like CES and in Milan.
TCL has introduced a groundbreaking material named TCL ECORA, crafted from upcycled ceramic waste and plastic, marking a significant innovation in sustainable manufacturing for consumer electronics. This composite material, which made its debut at IFA 2025 to considerable acclaim, is scheduled to appear in TCL products within the coming year. Potential applications include television back panels, air conditioning systems, and various other appliance lines, combining environmental responsibility with high performance.
Drawing inspiration from ancient Chinese traditions, TCL ECORA delivers exceptional durability, surface hardness, and a premium tactile finish. These characteristics make it highly suitable for integration across TCL’s range of electronic devices. Developed under the TCLGreen program, this material reflects the company’s dedication to merging sustainable practices with sophisticated design and user experience.
According to Shane Lee, General Manager of TCL’s Design Innovation Center, “Recycled ceramic has never before been utilized in consumer electronics, making TCL ECORA truly one-of-a-kind. This environmentally conscious material not only improves product performance but also supports our TCLGreen mission, helping consumers adopt healthier, more comfortable, and eco-friendly lifestyles.”
The material’s origins add a layer of cultural significance. TCL ECORA sources ceramic waste from Jingdezhen, a region celebrated for over 1,700 years as the heart of Chinese porcelain craftsmanship. Historically, Jingdezhen ceramics traveled the Silk Road, fostering cultural and commercial ties between the East and West. For TCL ECORA, discarded ceramics are finely ground and repurposed as a high-performance filler in plastics, linking modern sustainability with a rich historical legacy.
This innovation emerged from a collaboration with Chris Lefteri Design, a globally recognized expert in color, material, and finish (CMF) strategies. Beginning in 2024, the partnership enabled TCL to focus intensely on material innovation and emotionally resonant design. Chris Lefteri, founder of the studio, remarked, “The ceramic component imparts added strength and density to the material. It feels cool, smooth, and stone-like, redefining the aesthetic and tactile qualities of electronics. By upcycling waste that would otherwise occupy landfills, we’ve created something we are truly proud of in close cooperation with TCL.”
TCL ECORA represents a major milestone for the TCLGreen initiative, offering a novel approach to meeting sustainability targets. By reducing reliance on new plastics and repurposing culturally meaningful waste, this material could help usher in a new era of eco-conscious design across the global electronics industry.
Consumers will have the chance to experience TCL ECORA firsthand during TCL’s sponsorship of the Christmas Tree installation in Milan’s Piazza del Duomo, running from December 6, 2025, to January 6, 2026. This event, part of the “Wishes for Greatness” campaign as a Worldwide Olympic Partner, will include a festive village with themed igloos, Olympic-themed decorations, interactive activities, and product displays featuring the new material. Additionally, TCL ECORA will be showcased at the company’s booth during CES in Las Vegas from January 6–9, 2026.
Through TCLGreen, the company embeds sustainability across its operations and product lines. Key initiatives involve adopting energy-efficient technologies, implementing carbon-emissions monitoring, promoting green supply-chain practices, increasing clean energy usage, and piloting projects aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative. In 2024, TCL Technology cut carbon emissions by roughly 1.78 million tons, while TCL Industries’ photovoltaic operations contributed to a direct reduction of 1.61 million tons. The firm also allocated over $136 million toward environmental protection efforts.
Since its establishment in 1981, TCL, The Creative Life, has focused on enriching everyday experiences through technology. As a top-tier global brand, TCL provides a diverse portfolio including televisions, smartphones, audio equipment, smart home solutions, display tech, and clean energy systems. With 46 research and development centers and 38 production sites worldwide, TCL serves more than 160 countries and regions. In its role as a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner in Home Audiovisual Equipment and Home Appliances, TCL continues to champion innovation and inspire achievement on a global scale.
(Source: ITWire Australia)
